Headband Travel Case

ABSTRACT

The disclosed device is a travel case that includes an internal projection for headband retention. The projection is sized larger than the relaxed position of standard headbands. Thus, when a headband is placed on the projection, the curved strip of the headband is stretched. The result is compression by the headband against the projection, holding the headband in position. 
     When held in place, any ornamental component of the headband is held in a position separated from the walls of the case. Thus, the ornamental component is protected from damage due to rubbing or crushing.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of luggage and more particularly to a travel case for headbands, the headbands including decorative elements.

BACKGROUND

Many children from all over the world dream of visiting the happiest place on earth. For some children, their parents may save up for years for a trip to Orlando or Los Angeles for one of the most unique childhood memories—a trip to a Disney theme park.

It is customary for travelers and tourists to purchase souvenirs from vacations, and trips to Disney are no different. One of the most famous souvenirs offered at Disney theme parks is the mouse ear headband.

If not properly protected, the headband is easily damaged after being packed in luggage and transported home. When stuffed into a suitcase, the ears may get crushed or detach from the headband, ruining the souvenir.

What is needed is a method to transport headbands without damaging the headband's decorative elements.

SUMMARY

The disclosed device is a travel case that includes an internal projection for headband retention. The projection is sized larger than the relaxed position of standard headband. Thus, when a headband is placed on the projection, the curved strip of the headband is stretched. The result is compression of the headband against the projection, holding the headband in position.

When held in place, any ornamental component of the headband is held in a position separated from the walls of the case. Thus, the ornamental component is protected from damage due to rubbing or crushing.

The case is formed from an upper element and a lower element. The upper and lower elements are held together using a releasable closure, such as a zipper. The case optionally uses a clasp, or other type of releasable closure, in place of a zipper.

The top of the case includes a handle for carrying. The handle is sewn to the case, with optional rivets or studs for additional strength and ornamental appearance.

The left and right sides of the case each include a D-ring held to the case using sewn tabs. A shoulder strap hooks to the D-ring using swivel hooks.

The bottom of the case includes studs or feet to avoid direct contact with an underlying surface when the case is placed on its bottom.

The front of the case includes an optional decorative element. The decorative element may be a bow, button, ribbon, or other similar element.

The case is preferably constructed from two materials: the outer material is a Saffiano PU leather, which includes a cross-hatch stamped pattern, or the outer material is a flat grained PU leather. PU leather, or bycast leather, is formed from a lamination of two layers. The first layer is leather and the second layer is polyurethane. After application of the polyurethane, the material is embossed with a texture.

The preferred lining material, or inner material, is polyester suede, also known as microsuede.

The interior and exterior are formed from five primary pieces of material: a front piece, upper side perimeter piece, lower side perimeter piece, back piece, and a bottom piece. The bottom piece joins all other pieces.

Optionally included is a PU trim that covers the joints between the perimeter pieces and the front and back pieces.

Within the case, in the upper element, are two pockets. The first pocket is a slip pocket with elastic closure. The second pocket is a flat pocket.

Within the case, in the lower element, is the headband retention projection. The headband retention projection preferably extends from the back of the case upward. The projection is shown centered within the lower element, but may be instead placed off-center. Headbands have an upper portion that includes decorative features, but generally lack decorative features along the sides or bottom. Thus, less space is needed along the bottom and sides of the projection.

Additionally, the projection may be any shape that permits a headband to grip. For example, a circle, square, triangle, hexagon, and so forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of the device in an open position with decorative headbands placed inside.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the device in an open position with decorative headbands placed inside.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the device in an open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the device in an open position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the device.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the device.

FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of the device.

FIG. 9 illustrates a left view of the device.

FIG. 10 illustrates a right view of the device.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of a centrally-placed protrusion with headband.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of an off-center protrusion with headband.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic view of a non-circular protrusion with headband.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic view of alternative protrusion shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view of the device in an open position with decorative headbands placed inside is shown.

The headband travel case 1 is shown, with two primary sections of upper element 10 and lower element 12.

The headband retention projection 90 includes side or sides 92 and top 94. Each headband 110 includes a curved strip 112 and one or more ornamental components 114. The headbands 110 grip the headband retention projection 90, with the ornamental components 114 placed within the protective gap 106 between the walls 14 and the side 92.

Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the device in an open position with decorative headbands placed inside is shown.

Again shown are the headbands 110 gripping the headband retention projection 90, with the ornamental components 114 placed within the protective gap 106 between the walls 14 and the side 92.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an isometric view and a top view of the device in an open position are shown.

The headband travel case 1 is preferably constructed from the combination of an upper side perimeter piece 32, a lower side perimeter piece 34, a front cover piece 36 (shown in FIG. 7), a back cover piece 38 (shown in FIG. 8), and bottom linking piece 40 (shown in FIG. 6).

The left side 24 and right side 26 of the headband travel case 1 are shown, as well as the top 20.

Each side 24/26 includes a D-ring 50 that is held to its respective side using a D-ring retention loop 52. The shoulder strap 54 includes swivel hook 56 for attachment to the D-rings 50 and slide buckle 58 for adjustment of length.

The top 20 includes a carry handle 60 held to the top 20 with optional handle studs 62.

The upper element 10 and lower element 12 are preferably held to each other using a zipper 66, operated by zipper pulls 68.

The headband travel case 1 optionally includes a lining 80 to enhance the feel of the interior.

Within the upper element 10 are an optional slip pocket 96 and flat pocket 98 that is held in place by releasable flat pocket tabs 100. The flat pocket 98 allows one to clip souvenir pens on for storage.

Referring to FIG. 5, a top view of the device is shown.

The zipper 66 and zipper pulls 68 are visible, joining the upper element 10 and lower element 12 in a closed position. The decorative element 70 is partially visible.

Referring to FIG. 6, a bottom view of the device is shown.

The bottom linking piece 40 is shown, connecting the material from the upper side perimeter piece 32, lower side perimeter piece 34, front cover piece 36, and back cover piece 38.

Feet 64 are shown, preventing the bottom linking piece 40 from sitting directly on any surface upon which the headband travel case 1 is placed.

Referring to FIG. 7, a front view of the device is shown.

The front 28 includes an optional decorative element 70, shown here as a bow. But the decorative element 70 may be one of many elements, such as buttons, ribbon, jewelry, pendants, and other related items.

Referring to FIG. 8, a back view of the device is shown.

The back 30 is shown, with the carry handle 60 protruding from the top.

Referring to FIG. 9, a left view of the device is shown.

The D-ring 50 and D-ring retention loop 52 are shown affixed to the left side 24.

Referring to FIG. 10, a right view of the device is shown.

The D-ring 50 and D-ring retention loop 52 are shown affixed to the right side 26.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, schematic views of a protrusion with headband are shown.

The headband retention projection 90 can have many positions within the lower element 12 while maintaining a protective gap 106. In

FIG. 11 the headband retention projection 90 is centered within the lower element 12, leaving a protective gap 106 of substantially equal size in all directions.

In FIG. 12 the headband retention projection 90 is biased toward one side, leaving a larger protective gap 106 in one section of the lower element 12, but still of sufficient size to protect the ornamental components 114 of the headband 110.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a schematic view of a non-circular protrusions with headband are shown.

The headband retention projection 90 can be shapes other than circular while still providing the same benefits of protecting headbands 110.

Shown in FIG. 13 is a triangular headband retention projection 90. The triangular shape still provides the preferred three or more points of contact with the headband 110, creating a stable attachment.

Shown in FIG. 14 are square and diamond headband retention projections 90.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A travel case to protect a headband against damage during travel, the headband including one or more ornamental elements, the travel case comprising: a headband retention projection sized to place the headband under tension when the headband is placed onto the headband retention projection; one or more walls spaced from the headband retention projection to create a protective gap between the headband retention projection and the walls; whereby the one or more ornamental elements of the headbands are situated within the protective gap, and thus avoid damage during travel that would result from rubbing or compression contact with the one or more walls.
 2. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the one or more walls are formed from two layers of material: an outer layer of PU leather constructed from a first layer of leather and a second layer of polyurethane; and an inner layer of polyester suede.
 3. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the headband retention projection has a cylindrical shape.
 4. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the headband retention projection has the shape of an extruded triangle formed from a top with a triangular shape, and three sides with rectangular shapes.
 5. The travel case of claim 2, further comprising: a. a decorative element affixed to the outer layer of PU leather.
 6. The travel case of claim 1, further comprising a flat pocket, whereby one or more pens are clipped on for storage.
 7. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the one or more walls are equally spaced from the headband retention projection, and as a result the protective gap is substantially equally sized around the headband retention projection.
 8. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the one or more walls are unequally spaced from the headband retention projection, and as a result the protective gap is larger in some locations and smaller in others, thereby creating a preferred space for the ornamental elements of the headband.
 9. A travel case to transport one or more headbands, each of the one or more headbands having a decorative element, the travel case comprising: a back wall and multiple side walls forming an internal cavity; a headband retention projection affixed to the back wall, the headband retention projection sized to hold the one or more headbands; the headband retention projection affixed to the back wall; the headband retention projection equally spaced from each of the multiple side walls; whereby when stretched open, the headbands slide over the headband retention projection, then relax against the headband retention projection while remaining under tension, thus resulting in a securing force by the headband against the headband retention projection.
 10. The travel case of claim 9, wherein the back wall and multiple side walls are formed from two layers of material: an outer layer of PU leather constructed from a first layer of leather and a second layer of polyurethane; and an inner layer of polyester suede.
 11. The travel case of claim 9, wherein the headband retention projection has a cylindrical shape.
 12. The travel case of claim 9, wherein the headband retention projection has the shape of a triangular prism.
 13. The travel case of claim 10, further comprising: a decorative element affixed to the outer layer of PU leather.
 14. The travel case of claim 9, wherein the multiple side walls are equally spaced from the headband retention projection, thus creating a substantially equally sized protective gap around the headband retention projection.
 15. The travel case of claim 9, wherein the multiple side walls are unequally spaced from the headband retention projection, thus creating a protective gap that is larger in some locations and smaller in others, thereby creating space for the ornamental elements of the headband.
 16. A travel case to transport one or more headbands with decorative elements, the travel case comprising: an internal cavity defined by a front, a back, and a perimeter wall; the perimeter wall formed from an upper side perimeter piece and a lower side perimeter piece; the upper side perimeter piece and the lower side perimeter piece connected by a releasable fastener; a headband retention projection, the headband retention projection placed within the internal cavity; the headband retention projection having the shape of a cylinder; whereby the one or more headbands are releasably secured to the headband retention projection such that the decorative elements do not contact the perimeter wall during transport.
 17. The travel case of claim 16, wherein the one or more walls are formed from two layers of material: an outer layer of PU leather constructed from a first layer of leather and a second layer of polyurethane; and an inner layer of polyester suede.
 18. The travel case of claim 17, further comprising: a decorative element affixed to the outer layer of PU leather.
 19. The travel case of claim 16, wherein the one or more walls are equally spaced from the headband retention projection, thus creating a substantially equally sized protective gap around the headband retention projection.
 20. The travel case of claim 16, wherein the one or more walls are unequally spaced from the headband retention projection, thus creating a protective gap that is larger in some locations and smaller in others, thereby creating space for the ornamental elements of the headband. 